Jay Shah-Led ICC Releases Statement After Pakistan Airstrike Killed 3 Afghanistan Cricketers
ICC mourns deaths of three Afghan cricketers killed in airstrike, calls it a tragic loss for cricket and Afghanistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed deep sadness over the deaths of three young Afghan cricketers in an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
The players, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, were returning home after a local cricket match when the attack took place when Pakistan military attack happened.
In its statement, the ICC said it was “deeply saddened and appalled” by the loss. The council called the strike an act of violence that robbed the cricket world of three bright talents.
It also said the ICC stands with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the families who are mourning.
Reports from the area say thousands gathered for the funerals.
Families held photos of the young players who had big dreams for the future. Friends remembered them as humble boys who simply loved cricket and wanted to make their country proud.
The ACB said the deaths were a huge loss to Afghan cricket. As a mark of respect, the board decided to pull out of the T20I series in Pakistan next month. Officials said this step was taken out of emotion and pain, not for publicity.
